Qatar Airways is my favorite airline by far, as I always have a pleasant flying experience with them—even in economy.
For my recent birthday trip to Kenya, I decided to splurge and redeem 70,000 Avios for a one-way business class ticket with Qatar Airways.
Although this wasn’t my first time flying business class with the airline, it had been three to four years since my last experience.
In this Qatar Airways business class review, I’ll share my latest experience and whether I think it’s worth spending your money or points on.
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Checking in at the Airport
The elevated experience of flying business class with Qatar Airways began the minute my Uber stopped in front of the designated “First/Business Class” dropoff point at the Doha airport.
As a resident in the country, instead of doing a layover in Doha, like many, my journey started at this airport.
A group of porters standing to the side immediately greeted my driver and me, opening the door and assisting the driver with my luggage, which was stored in the back trunk.
One of the porters then escorted me inside the airport to the check-in area for business class passengers.
Check-In Counter /Baggage Drop-Off
As someone who usually flies economy, I never paid attention to the business check-in section, which is entirely separate from the others.
There are several counters to provide business class passengers with ease passing through check-in.
I was the only passenger checking in then, and it was a smooth process.
I was able to select my seat and check my bag in less than five minutes before moving onto the passport control/departure immigration section.
Departure Immigration
Immediately after check-in and baggage drop-off, there is a departure immigration checkpoint connected to the same entryway.
Again, as the only passenger, it took less than a minute to pass, and I did so with ease.
It was a refreshing change of pace from the usual rush, with an endless line of people behind me, waiting to go through, being yelled at to take all of my electronic devices out, etc.
At this point, I realized that part of the business class/luxury experience is the peace of mind and ease that passengers can expect.
I was breezing through the stages of preparing to board the plane, which is usually stressful, and I did not have to think twice about it.
Qatar Airways Business Class Baggage Allowance
Checked Baggage
Checked baggage allowances with Qatar Airways depend on where you are flying and what type of business class ticket you purchased.
Because I was flying to Kenya in Africa, I was allowed to check in two bags (32kg/70lb each).
You can read more about business class baggage allowances here.
Carry on Luggage
Regarding hand luggage, the airline states that “First Class and Business Class passengers can carry two pieces of baggage on board, not to exceed a total weight of 15kg (33lb).”
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I found the luggage limits to be very generous, allowing me to pack without any restrictions and feeling confident that I could bring whatever I needed with me on my trip.
I had a carry-on bag, a personal bag, and one piece of checked luggage that weighed 22 kg (48 lbs).
Changes in Qsuites Disclaimer
While I was looking forward to flying the Qsuites again and intentionally booked my flight for a Qsuite trip about three months before my trip, Qatar Airways notified me that they changed the aircraft to a non-Qsuite flight.
I was disappointed because I redeemed 70,000 points for this experience and mentally prepared to fly regular business class with the airline.
I contacted customer service to explain that the amount of points spent was likely because it was a Qsuite flight and to ask if I could be refunded.
The agent told me that was not an option, so that is something to keep in mind.
Thankfully, the day before the flight, I received a notification about a seat change and saw that the aircraft had been returned to a Qsuite flight, which was great.
I include this because the airline will let you know when you’re booking that Qsuite may not be available if the aircraft is changed, but this can be risky.
Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge
About the Lounge
The business class experience doesn’t just start onboard.
Passengers traveling from/through Doha are granted access to the stunning Al Mourjan Lounge at the Hamad International Airport.
Said to span over 10,000 square meters, the lounge offers a luxurious experience with an elegant Arabian-inspired design, endless dining options, many private quiet areas, and shower facilities.
The lounge has two floors. The first floor has several seating options and a few eating facilities, like the Global Deli, which offers sandwiches and other small bites.
On the second floor, you can enjoy an à la carte dining experience and the hot and cold buffet, which has several options and a full-serving bar.
In addition to the dining, Al Mourjan has features like a business center, family rooms, a prayer room, a game area, and more.
My Experience in the Lounge
My first impression of the lounge was how spacious it was and how comfortable the seating was.
The lounge also has a stunning central reflecting pool on the main floor, which creates a sense of serenity and adds to the aesthetic.
Upon walking into the lounge, one of the guest attendants immediately approached me and informed me that there were two floors, which was surprising and a first for me!
I went up to the top floor and requested to be seated in a booth.
On the top floor, you can order from the à la carte menu or the buffet, which offers bread, salads, fruit, a variety of main dishes, desserts, and more.
Nothing particularly caught my eye from the à la carte menu, so I went through the buffet and had some food from that, which was delicious.
As a Priority Pass member, I have access to lounges worldwide and usually spend time inside one before my flight.
*If you are interested in learning more about my experience with Priority Pass, please contact me and I can share more and provide you with a link based on your country/region to sign up!*
This is hands down the best lounge experience I’ve ever had, and I could not write this Qatar Airways business class review without sharing what it was like.
The extensive food options and private spaces made it even more enjoyable, and I highly recommend arriving at least 2.5 hours before your flight to enjoy all it has to offer.
Boarding the Flight
Being fully immersed in the lounge, I actually missed the original boarding call for business class passengers and boarded the plane a bit later.
However, I was still pushed to the front of the line when I arrived and boarded the plane through a separate pathway marked for business class, which was nice and helped me avoid the rush of people trying to board all at once.
I was looking forward to riding the business class bus that transports passengers to the plane when the terminal is not connected via a jet bridge.
Watching a few videos beforehand, I saw how cozy the bus was and wanted to experience it, but sadly, the terminal was connected to the plane, so that did not happen.
I would have been grateful any other day, but I wanted to ride the bus and hope I get the chance to do so in the future.
I was greeted and escorted to my seat, helped with my carry-on luggage, and offered a welcome drink to enjoy before takeoff before fully easing into my Qsuite for the next 5 hours.
Business Class Seat Layout
I believe the aircraft that I was on was the Boeing 777-300ER.
The business class layout for this aircraft features single, double, and quad suites.
I chose the single window seat because I was traveling alone.
When I checked in, I was given the option of a face-forward or rear-facing seat, which I found interesting.
I ended up with a rear-facing seat.
Apparently, some people can feel a bit motion sick if they are not facing the direction in which the plane is flying, and I was a bit worried about this as someone who does experience motion sickness sometimes, but I ended up being fine.
I’m not sure I would have noticed it if it hadn’t been emphasized when checking in.
I have heard that if you choose a double seat as a solo traveler, you risk being seated very closely with a stranger.
Although there is a divider, this can be a bit awkward, so I would keep this in mind.
Inside of the Qsuite Experience
The Qsuite by Qatar Airways is known for being one of the most luxurious and innovative business class experiences in the world.
The suite ultimately provides passengers with a private flight experience with features like sliding doors and customizable seating arrangements for maximum comfort throughout the flight.
Here’s what my experience was like in the Qsuite:
Seat Features
The seat itself is, of course, the main allure when it comes to the Qsuite experience.
The seat transforms into a bed with a mattress pad, mini duvet, and two pillows, which were provided at my seat. This ensures a restful sleep if you choose to do so while flying.
There is a complete control panel with multiple recline positions for personalized comfort. Whether you want to lie flat or at a reclined angle, the seat will accommodate you!
There is a large tray table, perfect for the airline’s meal spread, and a side storage compartment where I keep my sandals and small items for easy access.
Inside of that compartment, a set of noise-cancelling headphones and a bottle of water were waiting for me.
The sliding door allowed me to enclose myself in my suite and prevent others from peeking inside (not that anyone was doing so), providing an extra layer of privacy that I love, especially on public transportation.
The seats also have a personal reading light and adjustable mood lighting that enhances the ambiance.
Large In-Flight Entertainment Screen
The first thing that caught my attention was the large entertainment touchscreen inside the Qsuite.
The 21.5-inch 4K HD display screen is equipped with Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system that features a selection of movies, TV shows, music, games, and more.
I always find the entertainment options on Qatar Airways’ flights plentiful and always find something I haven’t seen before.
On this flight, I ended up watching Despicable Me 4, which was a great watch and made the flight time go by fast.
Suite Space/Legroom
The amount of space allotted to passengers in the Qsuite vastly differs from the economic experience.
Aside from the 21.5-inch wide seat that converts into a fully lie-flat bed, the seat is a considerable distance away from the seat, where there is plenty of legroom.
My legs did not even reach the bottom platform under the screen unless my seat was adjusted!
It was extremely comfortable, and I had even more space than I imagined and remembered from my first business-class flight experience.
Miniature Amenity Kit
One feature of flying in general that I often look forward to is the amenity kit provided at the seat.
Typically packed with useful little goods, I was sure I would be provided with some good ones.
The Qatar Airways Qsuite information page mentions that certain business class routes include a Diptyque-branded amenity bag containing products like lip balm, body lotion, essential face cream, and an exclusive fragrance.
Unfortunately, this is not what I received on my flight.
I had more of a basic amenity kit bag that included:
- Black long socks
- Ear plugs
- Eye mask
I expected more and was surprised there wasn’t a toothbrush kit at minimum.
I didn’t really use any of the items on the flight since I always travel with my noise-canceling headphones and fuzzy socks.
However, the small pouch in which the items were packed was super cute, and I will reuse it for future flights with the airline!
Food in the Qsuites
The Qsuite dining experience offers a short à la carte menu with dine-on-demand service, allowing passengers to eat whenever they choose.
The meal setup is great. A flight attendant will come and set up your table tray with fine china and glassware to prepare you for a three-course dining experience onboard.
I was given this menu for my flight and another one with a full breakdown of the beverage menu, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
I ordered the following:
- Classic Arabic mezze with pita bread: pesto hummus, labneh tahini, and avocado muhammara
- Pan-seared halibut fillet with spicy tomato and mashed potatoes, veggies
- Orange and cherry layered cake
My meal also came with a bread basket with focaccia bread, a baguette, and a country roll.
There was also the option to order a mini cheese board with crackers and other accompaniments as well as another light meal.
I was too full to get this cheese board, which is unfortunate as an avid cheese lover, but I was happy to see this as an option.
The food was excellent, and I enjoyed being served when I wanted.
Due to my small dinner earlier at the lounge, I was not hungry when I got onboard, so I opted for a later dinner, which allowed me to enjoy it even more.
I also ordered a hot chocolate that came with nuts later and at the end of the flight, I received a box of chocolates.
The Bathroom
The bathroom was average-sized, not super fancy, but still very clean.
Hand lotion and facial water were provided inside.
One big bonus is that I never had to wait to use the bathroom when I needed to go since it was only available to business class passengers and eliminated the need for a wait time.
Customer Service
I am always impressed with the customer service and attention to detail provided by Qatar Airways’ staff, especially from the flight attendants.
I was constantly checked throughout the flight to see if I had any needs that were not met, and I genuinely appreciated how lovely the staff was on this flight.
Final Thoughts on Qatar Airways Business Class Review
This flight was definitely worth purchasing, with 70,000 Avios points for my 5-hour journey to Nairobi.
Time flew in business class since the flight was so comfortable. I was able to get some work done and even catch up on reading during this time, which was needed.
While it is ultimately up to you, I think that any flight above four hours is worth purchasing a business class ticket so you can relax and be productive before landing in a new destination.
There you have it, my Qatar Airways business class review. Let me know if you have any questions or thoughts in the comments below!
